Library’s new chapter only months away

WORKERS are set to finish structural work on the redeveloped Ballarat Library next month and City of Ballarat staff will soon begin the fit-out of books, technology, and furniture.

It’s expected that the $7.48 million facility will be open to the public in March of next year, with expanded resources.

The new library will include a children’s area with a learning lab, cubby, tiered reading area, and sensory area, enough benches for hundreds of people to work at, a large staircase, a lift, and teaching spaces.

The upper level, which was previously municipal offices, is becoming a fully public floor, with meeting rooms, workstations, a youth and  function space with a kitchen, and a maker space with sewing machines and 3D printers.

Also part of the designs are a new entrance, cafe, open spaces and quiet areas, all abilities bathrooms with a shower, and parents’ rooms.

Library operations manager Jenny Fink said she can’t wait to see the reactions of the community.

“This library has such a wow factor about it,” she said. “I’ve walked into numerous libraries that aren’t as impressive as this.

“To be able to repurpose and refurbish this library in the way it has been, being so beautifully finished, I hope people will gasp when they walk in.”

Ms Fink said bringing the library’s collection of 85,000 to 95,000 items, and shelving, back into the space will take weeks.

New seating is expected to accommodate over 400 people, compared to the 130 seats the building had beforehand.

The project has been funded with $6.98 from the City of Ballarat and $500,000 from the State Government’s Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

It is estimated that 1600 to 2000 people will visit the new library every day.